Aging Well In The Gorge February 13th 2019

The look of retirement has changed over the last half century. Today many who reach retirement age want to keep working by finding a part-time “gig” for the personal satisfaction and additional income. The number of “gigsters” - older adults working part-time - is growing particularly with the current high unemployment rate. If you are willing to commit the time and the employer is willing to be flexible, it can be a win-win situation.

For example, CGCC is currently recruiting for part time instructors – a perfect opportunity for qualified retirees. You can learn more by attending the Part-Time Instructor Job Fair on Saturday, February 16^th from 10:00 – 12:00 at The Dalles Campus Building 3 or visit www.cgcc.edu/jobs.

On the other hand, maybe you’d rather work for yourself as an in-home care worker or house sitter - or turning your hobby into a small business selling your handmade crafts at bazaars or on the website Etsy.

Whether working part-time for an employer or yourself, being a “gigster” can be rewarding by keeping yourself engaged and connected while earning a few extra dollars - as long as it doesn’t become a “real” job! 

The Center was rockin’ Friday night with over ninety folks attending the “50’s, 60’s, 70’s Dance Party”. We showed that older folks still know how to party - we just now have to get to bed earlier! There were all generations on the dance floor including several young adults from Dufur; and Lucille Torgerson, the impromptu queen of the evening, with her escort Mike Ballinger. And everyone had a “groovy” good time.

But the evening would not have been possible without the vision and energy of Judy Merrill, Connie Krummrich, and Widge Johnson and master DJ Randy Haines, with help from Adie Jones, Cyndi Russell and Linda Jackson plus all the donated finger foods. And I can’t forget the dance sponsors: The Springs at Mill Creek and Schultens Ford.

And yes, we will do it again!

The Center’s February Celebration concludes with a Fundraiser Dinner/Auction on Friday, February 22^nd sponsored by The Springs at Mill Creek, Schultens Ford and Cousins Restaurant - who will be serving a Chicken Cordon Bleu dinner. There will be some great auction items: a night at the Wildhorse Casino with dinner for two; a night’s stay at Mcmenamins Edgefield; Portland Trailblazer tickets; and 18 holes of golf at Chinook Winds. Tickets are $35 - but we are only selling 100 tickets. You can purchase your tickets at Klindt’s (only cash or checks accepted) or at the Center.

The Dalles Blue Zones Project is initiating a series of Eat Wisely Events starting with a Potluck Moai Launch at the Center on Tuesday, February 19^th from 5:30 – 7:00 PM. If you don’t remember, a moai is a term used in Okinawa, Japan to describe a social support group engaged in a common activity while sharing stories, advice and life experiences.

For the Potluck Moai bring a healthy dish to share; and then over the next ten weeks you can join a moai group of 5-9 persons meeting over 10 weeks sharing healthy meals and habits. Also, if you want to know more about cooking healthy foods for a group of friends while staying within your budget, there will be cooking demonstrations at the Center on the first and third Tuesdays of March and April. If you have questions, call 541-288-4487 or email Amy Krol at amy.krol@sharecare.com.

The 1962 book written by Rachel Carson that inspired the environmental movement is Silent Spring. I received correct answers from Carol Earl, Lee Kaseberg, Sandy Haechrel, Adie Jones, Ann Radford, Cheri Brent, Lana Tepfer, Jerry Phillips, Jeanne Pesicka and Mary Haas this week’s winner of a free quilt raffle ticket.

We’re going to keep on a literary track but this time taking the low road. For this week’s “Remember When” question what was the title of Jacqueline Susann’s first novel published in 1966 which was panned by the critics but was the biggest selling novel that year and has sold more than 31 million copies - making it one of the best-selling works in publishing history? Email your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or return your answer written on a bottle of prescription barbiturates.

Well, it’s been another week keeping warm under the blankets. Until we meet again, you know you’re getting older when you begin telling a story with “I’ve probably told you this before, but …”

“A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” Carl Reiner

Aging Well in the Gorge February 6th 2019

You may have heard of the Blue Zones Project in The Dalles - a well-being improvement initiative designed to help make healthier choices easier. It is based on the idea that much of our health and longevity is determined by our environment, so optimizing our surroundings can add both quantity and quality to our lives.  And when the entire community participates – including the Center, schools, and restaurants – small changes can reap large dividends.

In support of this initiative, the Center is working to become a Participating Organization. This requires the Center to complete several actions within six months such as starting a Moai Walking Team, hosting plant-based cooking events, and posting Blue Zone information on the Center’s website.  

But another requirement is to encourage community members to complete a Blue Zones Personal Pledge and return it to the Center. The pledge consists of selecting at least five actions from the list below. If you are already doing some of them, give yourself a pat on the back. And then consider challenging yourself by completing several additional actions in the next six months. You can find the Personal Pledge in more detail on the Center’s website (www.midcolumbiseniorcenter.com) or pick one up at the Center. More information is available on The Dalles Blue Zones Facebook page.

1) Keep a comfortable pair of walking shoes in plain sight to provide that nudge to move naturally daily. Or maybe a speedo swimsuit pinned to the front door? 
2)  Adopt a dog. Those daily walks will keep you moving! 
3) Attend a Blue Zones Purpose Workshop. 
4) Remove all computers and electronics from your bedroom. Here most older adults have an advantage by not being addicted to their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts. 
5) Designate a space in your home for quiet time, meditation, or prayer. 
6) Stock your cupboard with 10-inch dinner plates because you mindlessly eat more calories when eating off larger plates. And that doesn’t mean you can go back for seconds! 
7) Remove TVs and computers from the kitchen and dining areas. They lead to mindless eating and consuming needless calories. 
8) Own a bathroom scale and weigh yourself regularly. 
9) Attend a plant-based cooking class. Knowing how to cook plant-based dishes that you enjoy increases the nutritional quality of your meals.
10) Grow a garden at your home or adopt a plot at a community garden. 
11) Schedule a weekly happy hour with friends and a small glass of red wine - IF you have a healthy relationship with alcohol. 
12) Have a conversation about getting older. Join the Center’s “Let’s Talk” group every Friday at 11:00. Or have a honest conversation with your adult children about what you want. 
13) Belong to a faith-based organization.

I often receive comments about the “Remember When’ questions, and what I particularly like to hear is, “I’d forgotten all about that”. My goal is not to stump you, although this last week’s question was a tough one, but to bring back memories of past experiences: attending a Beatles concert in Portland, remembering where you were when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, or when you first heard classmates playing “Hang on Sloopy” at your high school’s talent show. Reminiscing is one of the advantages of aging: giving us a deeper perspective of life and of who we are. But most of the questions come from my limited experiences, an Indiana boy attending high school and college in the 60’s. So, if you can think of any questions, send them my way.

A “wet rag” was someone who was unpopular and just not fun to hang out with. Only Jeanne Pesicka answered the question correctly, although with a little coaching, and receives a free quilt raffle ticket. And from last week I missed Sandy Haechrel driving by in her “jalopy”.  

The Dalles Library has several book groups one of which is a non-fiction book group which meets on the 3^rd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 PM. The book they are reading for February was written by Rachel Carson and published in 1962.  For this week’s “Remember When” question, what was the name of this book that inspired the environmental movement? Email your answer to www.mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, leave a message at 541-296-4788 or return your answer written on the back of a gallon of DDT.

Well, it’s been another week trying to keep the fire burning. Until we meet again, here’s one of Roger Rosenblatt’s rules for aging, “Just because the person criticizing you is an idiot doesn’t make him wrong.”